Over 500,000 motorists fined for not wearing seatbelts in UAE

As many as 583,096 violations were recorded across the country for drivers not wearing seatbelts while driving last year, statistics from the Ministry of Interior revealed.

These violations included 361,858 in Abu Dhabi, 64,223 in Dubai, 127,176 in Sharjah, 27,429 in Ajman, 1,779 in Ras Al Khaimah, 135 in Umm Al Quwain and 496 in Fujairah. 

The statistics showed that 40,166 violations were recorded nationwide for driving against traffic direction last year. These violations included 20,674 in Dubai, 9,615 in Abu Dhabi, 4,557 in Sharjah, 3,918 in Ajman, 580 in Ras Al Khaimah, 183 in Umm Al Quwain and 639 in Fujairah. 

As many as 21,894 violations were recorded for drivers parking their vehicles in places designated for people with special needs. These violations included 10,395 in Abu Dhabi, 7,299 in Dubai, 1,278 in Sharjah, 721 in Ras Al Khaimah, 494 in Fujairah, 257 in Umm Al Quwain and 1,450 in Ajman, the statistics stated. 

Some 730 violations were recorded for drivers parking their vehicles in front of fire hydrants, they showed. These violations included 635 in Abu Dhabi, 73 in Dubai, 15 in Sharjah, 4 in Ras Al Khaimah and 1 each in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. 

The statistics identified more than 30 reasons for traffic violations including driving a vehicle with expired registration or driving licence, driving a vehicle that does not meet safety and security requirements, driving an uninsured or unlicensed vehicle, driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy, driving a vehicle on the road without number plates and driving a vehicle that causes noise.